Departure of the Discovery.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3835, 24 December 1901, Page 1

Departure of the Discovery.

Chbistchubch, Dec. 21. The Discovery this morning took on board her dogs and a number of live sheep, thus completing the preparations for her final departure. At half past 11 o'clock Bishop Juliii3 held a short but impressive service in the men's quarters, all the members of the expe lition being present. Special hymns and prayers were used. The Bishop delivered an excellent sermonette from the text "If I take the wings of the morning and remain in the uttermost parts of the even there also shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me." The final farewells were spoken at 2.10 p m., and the vessel got under weigh amid a storm of hearty cheering. The Discovery was accompanied down the harbour by the Te Anau, Poherua, Cygnet, Eimutaka, and Delphic, and a number of launches. All were gaily decorated with buntiug.and the scene was most inspiriting, binds playing, whistles shrilling, and the air rent with repeated cheering. At the beads H.M.S Eingarooma and Lizard were waiting, and saluted the ve-sel with their guns, the former proceeding as consort to Port Chalmers. The weather was gloriously fine, and the whole of the ceremony was carried'off with the greatest enthusiasm. The Discovery was appreciably deeper than when she arrived, and the leakage has now almost ceased. The vessel expects to leave Port Chalmers finally on Tuesday morning.